Directors
The Board of Directors of Bendigo Community Telco contains a number of highly qualified individuals drawn from the Banking, Educational, Government and Commercial sectors in Bendigo. The Board undertakes an active role in steering the future direction of Bendigo Community Telco, and in its management. The management team employed by Bendigo Community Telco is highly qualified, with experience specific to Bendigo Community Telco’s operations. The Board is supported by Finance, Budgeting, and Risk and Remuneration Committees.
Bendigo Community Telco's Board:
Robert George Hunt – AM, FAICD – Chairman 
Age
60
Occupation
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited – Consultant
Treasury Corporation of Victoria – Chairman
Qualifications
Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, 2003
Doctor of the University (honoris causa), LaTrobe University, 1999
Experience
Mr Hunt retired as Managing Director of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank on 3 July 2009 after 21 years as Chief Executive Officer. During his 36 years with the organisation, Mr Hunt guided Bendigo through many challenges, but also through opportunities in the development and implementation of strategies as a regional and community banking organisation.
Mr Hunt is architect of the Community Bank® model, and has been instrumental in the development of a range of Community Enterprise and Engagement models, now utilised by communities across Australia to provide key infrastructure and essential services through local commercial structures. These Enterprises provide communities with a framework, the cashflow, capacity and flexibility to address new economy opportunities.
Mr Hunt continues his involvement in a number of community organisations and enterprises on behalf of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited – including Bendigo Community Telco, Community Telco Australia, the Community Bank® Strategic Advisory Board and Community Sector Banking – and he is passionate about the capacity of local Australian communities to contribute to improved national, state and local economic outcomes. Mr Hunt is also the current Chairman of Treasury Corporation of Victoria.
Interest in Shares
Indirect – Hunters Ridge Pty Ltd (Hunt Family Trust) 421,004 Shares
Indirect – Annette Hunt 30,044 Shares
Special Responsibilities
None
Current Appointments
Chairman, Treasury Corporation of Victoria since 2010;
Consultant (Community Engagement Programs & Strategic Enterprises) for
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited since 2009;
Chairman, Bendigo Community Telco since 2000;
Chairman, Community Telco Australia since 2001;
Director, Community Bank® Strategic Advisory Board since 2008
Director, Community Sector Banking Pty Ltd since 2003;
Chairman, Lead On Australia Limited since 2001;
Patron-in-Chief, Community Enterprise Foundation since 2005;
Patron, St Luke’s Anglicare since 2002.
Honours and Awards
Order of Australia Award /Member (AM) General Division, 2002;
Paul Harris Fellowship Award, Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst, 2000;
Citizen of the Year Award, City of Greater Bendigo 1999;
Key to the City Award, City of Greater Bendigo 2009.
Graham William Bastian - Director 
Age
59
Occupation
Consultant
Qualifications
Dip Engineering – Civil (Swinburne)
Dip Ed (Hawthorn State College)
Experience
Graham worked as a civil engineer with a private firm of surveyors and engineers until entering teaching. Following a period as an educational consultant focused on assisting schools in the effective use of computers, Graham became the Principal of Charlton College.
He then became the Regional Principal Consultant for Bendigo, the Principal of Golden Square Secondary College and recently retired as Principal of Bendigo Senior Secondary College. Since this career change, Graham has been providing consultancy services to the Department of Education Central Office as well as many schools across the state.
Interest in Shares
Direct – 0 Shares
Indirect – Jeanette Bastian 2,000 Shares
Special Responsibilities
Member of Audit and Risk Committee
Other Directorships
None
Andrew Cairns - Director 
Age
49
Occupation
Head of Community Solutions & Partnering Bendigo & Adelaide Bank
Qualifications
Bachelor of Engineering – Electrical (Footscray Institute of Technology)
Member of Australian Institute of Company Directors
Experience
Andrew Cairns has extensive experience in a variety of industries including manufacturing, pay television and telecommunications. He has worked both nationally and internationally. In the past few years he has applied that experience to steering start-up organisations to success, including Bendigo Community Telco as its initial Chief Executive. The success of Bendigo Community Telco has now resulted in the community telco project being rolled out to regional communities across Australia by Community Telco Australia. Andrew is now the Head of Community Solutions & Partnering at the Bendigo & Adelaide Bank. He remains a director of Bendigo Community Telco.
Interest in Shares
Indirect – Bendigo & Adelaide Bank Limited 1,112,146
Special responsibilities
Andrew Cairns is a Member of the Audit and Risk Committee
Other directorships
Coliban Region Water Authority
Bendigo Asset Management Limited
Community Developments Australia Pty Limited
Community Energy Australia Pty Limited
Community Exchanges Australia Pty Limited
Community Solutions Australia Pty Limited
Community Telco Australia Pty Ltd
Lead On Australia Limited
Loddon Mallee Housing Services Limited
The Bendigo Affordable Housing Company Ltd
Mr Donald James Erskine - Director 
Age
65
Occupation
Managing Director – Industrial Conveying (Aust.) Pty Ltd
Experience
Don is trained as a mechanical engineer. He is Managing Director of Industrial Conveying (Aust.) Pty Limited which was formed by Don in 1979.
His previous appointments include non-executive Director of Bendigo Bank and a member of the Bank’s Credit, IT Strategy and Property Committees, Director of North West Country Credit Union Co-op Ltd, Director of Coliban Water, Director of Community Telco Australia and Director of Bendigo Economic Development Committee, Chairman of Australian Technical College and Director of Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE. Don is actively involved in the Bendigo Community.
Interest in Shares
Direct - 0 Shares
Indirect – Erskine Investments Pty Ltd 840,000 Shares
Special responsibilities
Don Erskine is a member of the Remuneration Committee.
Other directorships
None
Mr Geoffrey Ralph Michell - Director 
Age
60
Occupation
Director
Qualifications
Diploma of Civil Engineering (Deakin)
Masters of Business Administration (Deakin)
Experience
Geoff is a Director on a number of Boards. He previously spent some 35 years in senior management and engineering roles, including 10 years as Managing Director of Coliban Water.
Interest in Shares
Direct – 20,002 Shares
Special responsibilities
Member of the Audit and Risk Committee and the Remuneration Committee
Other Directorships
Bendigo Health
Bendigo Tourism Board
Lower Murray Water
Wimmera Catchment Management Authority
Ms Michelle Kaye O’Sullivan – Director
Age
33
Occupation
Lawyer – Michelle O’Sullivan Lawyer
Qualifications
Bachelor of Laws (Hons)
Bachelor of Commerce
Experience
Michelle O’Sullivan has had experience on various boards including, Loddon Mallee Women’s Health and the Bendigo Street Surfer Board. Michelle was recently a committee member of the Bendigo Law Association Inc. and is currently the President of Bendigo Law Association Inc. Michelle is the newest Director and Board member of Bendigo Community Telco.
Interest in Shares
None
Special Responsibilities
None
Other Directorships
None